Jekyll2019-06-18T15:42:44+01:00https://neilmorton.net/feed.xmlNeil MortonProgrammer, tech, & business enthusiast.Starling Bank 3D Secure2019-03-19T11:02:00+00:002019-03-19T11:02:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/starling-bank-3d-secure<p>Starling Bank is one of a new breed of mobile ‘challenger’ banks in the UK, with a focus on a new way to manage your money, real-time banking &amp; security.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/starling-bank-cards.jpg" alt="Starling Bank Cards" /></p>
<p>Yesterday Starling announced that it is <a href="https://www.starlingbank.com/blog/introducing-3D-secure/&quot;">Introducing 3D Secure</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Today, we’ll start a phased rollout of 3D Secure, an authentication tool for online purchases, to our customers. We explain how this will help keep customers’ money safe.</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>3D Secure is a tool for online transactions that requires the account holder to complete an authentication process for some purchases. It forms part of the security of your account.</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>Starling users have previously suffered with payments failing if they tried to make a payment with a merchant that enforced 3D Secure, as Starling hadn’t previously implemented it.</p>
<p>Yes, 3D Secure may cause more friction when making a payment, but the concept is one to try and keep our money safe.</p>
<p>The implementation does concern me though:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>At Starling, we’ve decided to use ‘one-time passwords’ sent via SMS as the type of authentication for online purchases. This means that a text will be sent to your phone when you are required to authenticate for a specific online purchase. One code will be sent for each purchase meaning that static password can be left behind.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I appreciate the need for more security, and yes, this does provide a further element. However, I really do hope that we are not going to see Starling (and other banks) use this as so called ‘proof’ that the account holder was indeed responsible for a transaction. It’s well known that SMS is a poor authentication method for security:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>If you have your bag stolen with both your card and phone, in many cases the contents of SMS are displayed on the phone screen without unlocking. A thief need only make a payment with a stolen card and enter the code that pops up on the phone that they also have. Likewise, if anyone has access to the linked phone, perhaps left unattended on a desk, again they could simply see the code.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The technology is susceptible to SIM Swap attacks. Either locally with someone simply swapping the SIM to another phone and getting the SMS; Or alternatively, if someone has access to little bit of information about you, they can sometimes get your carrier to move your number to a new SIM card (not as easy, but certainly not beyond possibility).</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>As I said before, some form of security is better than none, and users shouldn’t be being blocked from making payments as they have been, but it’s depressing that Starling, like many other banks and services, rely on SMS as a means of authentication.</p>
<p>There is a further issue with SMS whereby if you are using a different SIM card (for example when out of the country), then you won’t get the SMS.</p>
<p>Starling do hint at one saving grace:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Using one-time passwords is the first phase of Starling rolling out 3D Secure. We will be working on a biometric authentication as an alternative to SMS passwords, with this planned to be rolled out later this year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This can’t happen soon enough - It is to be hoped that the SMS option can be disabled though, otherwise the SMS weakness still causes the issues above.</p>Starling Bank is one of a new breed of mobile ‘challenger’ banks in the UK, with a focus on a new way to manage your money, real-time banking &amp; security.Longbow: Jet Hydroplane UK2019-03-19T10:30:00+00:002019-03-19T10:30:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/longbow-jet-hydroplane-uk<p>It was great to see my friend Dave yesterday to catch up on our <a href="https://www.jet-hydroplane.uk">Jet Hydroplane UK</a> project and see how the build of <a href="https://www.jet-hydroplane.uk"><em>Longbow</em></a> was progressing.</p>
<p><img src="/assets/images/longbow-logo.png" alt="Longbow Logo" /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.jet-hydroplane.uk">Jet Hydroplane UK</a> is a British Team, with a serving British Military pilot at the helm, and a joint passion to build and run <a href="https://www.jet-hydroplane.uk"><em>Longbow</em></a>, a jet hydroplane, on lakes and lochs within the UK.</p>
<p>I’m thrilled to have been involved in this project since its start in 2016, and really pleased with how the build is now starting to take shape.</p>
<p>Looking forward to sharing the latest pictures in the next update later in the month!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, you can <a href="https://www.jet-hydroplane.uk">look at the project here</a>.</p>It was great to see my friend Dave yesterday to catch up on our Jet Hydroplane UK project and see how the build of Longbow was progressing.Microsoft Band Discontinued2019-03-17T19:20:00+00:002019-03-17T19:20:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/microsoft-band-discontinued<p>Earlier this month <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4467073/end-of-support-for-the-microsoft-health-dashboard-applications?ocid=ema_rmc_band_eos_faq">Microsoft announced</a> that they are ending support for Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health Dashboard on 31st May 2019.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img src="/assets/images/microsoft-band-ios-icon.png" alt="Microsoft Band Pedometer" width="100px" /></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Microsoft has announced the end of support for the Microsoft Health Dashboard applications and services. This document contains important dates and information regarding the end of support.</p>
<p>On 5/31/2019, the Microsoft Health Dashboard site will be shut down and Microsoft Band applications will be removed from the Microsoft Store, Google Play, and Apple App store. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>The good news for those with Microsoft Band devices is that eligible users can <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4467073/end-of-support-for-the-microsoft-health-dashboard-applications?ocid=ema_rmc_band_eos_faq">claim a refund</a>.
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<blockquote>
<h3 id="eligibility-for-a-refund">Eligibility for a refund</h3>
<p>Certain Band users will be eligible to receive a refund according to the below terms. Eligible users are users that either:</p>
<ol>
<li>Have a Band that is covered under its Limited Warranty; OR</li>
<li>Are Active Users. An Active User is defined as a user who has worn the Band on their wrist and completed a data sync from the Band to the Health Dashboard between 12/1/2018 and 3/1/2019. </li>
</ol>
<p>All eligible users will receive an email with refund instructions. Refunds will be processed for the following amounts:</p>
<ul>
<li>Band 1: $79.99</li>
<li>Band 2: $175</li>
</ul>
<p>Refunds must be claimed by 8/30/2019.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>More information is <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4467073/end-of-support-for-the-microsoft-health-dashboard-applications?ocid=ema_rmc_band_eos_faq">available from Microsoft</a>.</p>
<p>Not only is the wearable Microsoft Band being discontinued, so to is the stand alone Microsoft Band iPhone pedometer app on the App Store.</p>
<h3 id="replace-microsoft-band-iphone-app">Replace Microsoft Band iPhone App</h3>
<p>Anyone looking for a replacement to Microsoft Band on their iPhone can download <a href="https://stepwiseapp.com">Stepwise</a> iPhone Pedometer, free, from the <a href="https://stepwiseapp.com">App Store</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/app/id788761724?mt=8&amp;uo=4&amp;at=1l3vwLr&amp;ct=swmsband&amp;pt=10584922"><img src="/assets/images/apple-download-on-the-app-store.svg" alt="Download on the App Store" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://stepwiseapp.com">Stepwise</a> is a powerful yet simple iPhone pedometer that tracks your activity and motivates you to achieve your fitness goals, and is written by yours truly.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><a href="https://stepwiseapp.com"><img src="/assets/images/stepwise-microsoft-band-beach.jpeg" alt="Stepwise https://stepwiseapp.com" /></a></p>
<h3 id="replace-microsoft-band-wearable">Replace Microsoft Band Wearable</h3>
<p>For anyone claiming a refund from Microsoft for their Microsoft band, maybe have a look at getting an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K3HLMTF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=progressconce-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07K3HLMTF&amp;linkId=d8885c98b0923ffe7a7101740216e0b4">Apple Watch</a>.</p>
<p>By default <a href="https://stepwiseapp.com">Stepwise</a> tracks all steps from your iPhone. However, using <a href="https://stepwiseapp.com">Stepwise</a>, those with an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K3HLMTF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=progressconce-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07K3HLMTF&amp;linkId=d8885c98b0923ffe7a7101740216e0b4">Apple Watch</a> can intelligently merge <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K3HLMTF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=progressconce-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07K3HLMTF&amp;linkId=d8885c98b0923ffe7a7101740216e0b4">Apple Watch</a> data with iPhone data for even greater accuracy.</p>
<p>Check out the latest <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K3HLMTF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=progressconce-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B07K3HLMTF&amp;linkId=d8885c98b0923ffe7a7101740216e0b4">Apple Watch</a>.</p>Earlier this month Microsoft announced that they are ending support for Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health Dashboard on 31st May 2019.Kentmere rainbow: A quadcopter view2019-01-22T20:30:00+00:002019-01-22T20:30:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/kentmere-rainbow-quadcopter-view<p>One of my hobbies that I enjoy when I am not writing code is flying multirotors, otherwise known as drones.</p>
<p>I currently fly both a hexacopter, DJI F550, and a quadcopter, DJI Mavic Air.</p>
<p>I have collected quite a bit of footage over the past few years, and recently decided to make a start editing some of it; another hobby perhaps?!</p>
<p>Here is the latest video, with footage originally captured in September 2018 during a flight over Kentmere in Cumbria, UK.</p>
<h2 id="kentmere-rainbow-september-2018">Kentmere rainbow. September 2018</h2>
<div class="youtube-wrapper">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GDmpBHYi-AI" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>One of my hobbies that I enjoy when I am not writing code is flying multirotors, otherwise known as drones.How to fix Apple Pay Stuck on Verification Required on iPhone and iPad2019-01-10T00:10:00+00:002019-01-10T00:10:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/fix-apple-pay-stuck-verification-required<p>Sometimes when you try to add a credit card to Apple Pay on your iPhone or iPad, the process can get stuck showing <em>Verification required</em>.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img src="/assets/images/iphonexs-setup-apple-pay.png" alt="Setup Apple Pay" width="200px" /></p>
<h2 id="how-to-fix-apple-pay-stuck-on-verification-required-on-iphone-and-ipad">How to fix Apple Pay Stuck on Verification Required on iPhone and iPad</h2>
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<ol>
<li>Open <strong>Settings</strong> app from your Home screen.</li>
<li>Tap <strong>[your name] banner</strong>.</li>
<li>Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap <strong>Sign Out</strong>.</li>
<li>Follow any on screen instructions until you are returned to the main settings screen.</li>
<li>Tap <strong>Face ID &amp; Passcode</strong> or <strong>Touch ID &amp; Passcode</strong>.</li>
<li>Scroll down and tap <strong>Turn Passcode Off</strong>.</li>
<li>Restart your iPhone.</li>
<li>Open <strong>Settings</strong> app from your Home screen.</li>
<li>Tap <strong>Sign in to your iPhone</strong> and sign back into iCloud.</li>
<li>Go back to the main Settings screen, and tap <strong>Face ID &amp; Passcode</strong> or <strong>Touch ID &amp; Passcode</strong>.</li>
<li>Tap <strong>Turn Passcode On</strong>.</li>
<li>Now try again to add your card.</li>
</ol>
<p>When adding the cards, <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204506">follow these steps from Apple</a>.</p>Sometimes when you try to add a credit card to Apple Pay on your iPhone or iPad, the process can get stuck showing Verification required.How to stop iPhone Camera Reverting to Live Photo’s2019-01-08T22:00:00+00:002019-01-08T22:00:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/stop-iphone-camera-reverting-to-live-photos<p>If you keep switching off Live Photo’s on your iPhone, only to find them back on again next time you take a photo, read on to find out how to stop this.</p>
<p style="text-align:center"><img src="/assets/images/ios12-camera-icon.jpg" alt="iPhone camera icon" width="100px" /></p>
<h2 id="how-to-stop-iphone-camera-reverting-to-live-photos">How to stop iPhone Camera Reverting to Live Photo’s</h2>
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<ol>
<li>Open <strong>Settings</strong> app from your Home screen.</li>
<li>Scroll down and tap <strong>Camera</strong>.</li>
<li>Tap <strong>Preserve Settings</strong>.</li>
<li>Switch Live Photos to <strong>ON</strong>. <em>(If it is already on, switch it off and back on again.)</em></li>
</ol>
<p>This will preserve the Live Photo setting, rather than automatically reset to Live Photo turned on.</p>If you keep switching off Live Photo’s on your iPhone, only to find them back on again next time you take a photo, read on to find out how to stop this.Owning Your Content2018-12-05T22:05:00+00:002018-12-05T22:05:00+00:00https://neilmorton.net/owning-your-content<p>Whilst I have had a business website since starting <a href="https://progressconcepts.com">Progress Concepts</a>, I decided earlier this year that I wanted to create a personal online presence. Somewhere I could create my own content, regardless of whether it was business related or not.</p>
<p>I have always been one to own my online presence, that’s why my email address has always been at my own domain rather than a generic webmail service or worse still an ISP. Whilst <em>@gmail.com</em> addresses are popular today, <em>@msn.com</em> or <em>@aol.com</em> were thought as big in the past. And how many ISP’s have long since disappeared, taking your email address with them (anyone in the UK remember <em>freeserve.co.uk</em>)?
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Websites and blogs are no different. I want my content and reputation at a domain that is under my control, wherever I choose to host it, not some subdomain of a third party service.</p>
<p>Whilst I used to hand code websites 20 years ago, for a long time I used <a href="https://wordpress.org">Wordpress</a>. I have now decided I want to move back to static sites. Partly due to Wordpress being somewhat bloated these days, page load speed, simplicity, and partly just because I wanted to scratch an itch and learn something new.</p>
<p>I have built this site with <a href="https://jekyllrb.com">Jekyll</a>, a simple, static site generator. After creating page layouts as I want them, I simply feed in some text written in <a href="https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/">Markdown</a> format, and out pops the relevant content.</p>
<p>Many people either don’t care, or are not aware, that they are giving up control of their online identity, often to advertising companies.</p>
<p>There is another way though, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_platform">open web</a>, and whilst today it may be the domain of predominantly nerds or control freaks, I hope that as time passes more people will become aware of the importance of owning their own content.</p>Whilst I have had a business website since starting Progress Concepts, I decided earlier this year that I wanted to create a personal online presence. Somewhere I could create my own content, regardless of whether it was business related or not.